As the winning photo of the 2009 Pet Sitters International’s (PSI) Take Your Dog To Work Day^® photo contest attests, it’s not easy working like a dog! Danielle Kangalee captured the photo of her Brittany spaniel, Holly, napping in her office chair while participating in the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council’s (OMVIC) first-ever celebration of PSI’s Take Your Dog To Work Day.

The winner of the official TYDTWDay photo contest, sponsored by FetchDog, your destination for dog supplies, has named the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as the recipient of a $500 donation that will be made by Pet Sitters International.  In addition, Danielle and Holly will receive $500 cash and a FetchDog prize package valued at $200.

The OMVIC, which licenses and regulates motor vehicle dealers in Ontario, Canada, is no stranger to supporting charitable causes.  In addition to supporting Take Your Dog To Work Day this year, the OMVIC supports the Daily Bread Food Bank, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and a number of charities through proceeds collected at its annual golf tournament.

“Holly enjoyed her first time in the office,” said Kangalee, a business analyst. “Our long walk to the OMVIC, combined with the excitement of meeting so many new people, probably led to her nap in the chair that is shown in my photo.”

Working like a dog also paid off for Stella, a six-year old Yorkshire terrier from Phoenixville, PA, who accompanied mom, Polly Smith, to her salon.  Polly uploaded her video, “Stella doing the meet and greet” to the TYDTWDay Facebook page and was selected as the 2009 video contest winner.  She will receive a FetchDog prize pack valued at $100.

Three additional TYDTWDay participants were selected at random to win $25 FetchDog prize packages. 

The winners were

• Carol Rau of Warminster, PA
• Damaris Hay of Miami Beach, FL
• Susan Cooper of Mesa, AZ

FetchDog founder Ben Shaw shared, “We were thrilled to be a part of TYDTWDay and want to thank all of this year’s participants, Pet Sitters International, and Bring Pets Home for the opportunity to be part of an event that raises awareness of dog adoption and the positive impact of pets in the workplace.”

“We would like to congratulate the winners and thank all of the participants in this year’s Take Your Dog To Work Day event,” says Patti Moran, PSI president.  “TYDTWDay’s promotion of pet adoption is more important than ever before and we encourage pet owners, businesses and the pet industry to join forces to improve the lives of homeless pets in their communities by participating in campaigns such as this one.”

Pet owners and businesses can mark their calendars for next year’s event which will take place on Friday, June 25, 2010.  For more information on ways to participate, visit www.takeyourdog.com.

Companies interested in 2010 campaign partnership opportunities are encouraged to contact Beth Stultz, TYDTWDay event manager directly at beth@petsit.com or (336) 983-7747.